c 
LIFE OF WILSON. 
ignorance, rudeness, and boorishness, were never so contrasted by female 
sweetness, affability, and intelligence. 
"April 12. — Went this evening to drink tea with Mr. * * *j was intro- 
duced to Mrs. * * *^ a most lovely, accomplished and interesting woman. 
Her good sense and lively intelligence of a cast far superior to that of almost 
any woman I have ever seen. She is most unfortunately unwell with a ner- 
vous complaint, which affects her head. She told me, most feelingly, that the 
spring, which brings joy to every other being, brings sorrow to her, for in 
winter she is always well. 
" April 25. — Breakfasted at Walton's, thirteen miles from Nashville. This 
place is a fine, rich hollow, watered by a charming, clear creek, that never 
fails. Went up to Madison's Lick, where I shot three paroquets and some 
small birds. 
"April 26. — Set out early, the hospitable landlord, Isaac Walton, refus- 
ing to take anything for my fare, or that of my horse, saying : ' Yon seem to 
he travelUiyj for tl it good of the v:orIil ; and I cannot, I will not eliarge jjou 
anjjthing. Whenever you come this way, call and stay with me, you shall he 
welcome!' This is the first instance of such* hospitality which I have met 
with in the United States. 
''Wednesday, May 23. — Left Natchez, after procuring twelve subscribers; 
and having received a kind letter of invitation from 'William Dunbar, Esq., I 
availed myself of his goodness, and rode nine miles along the usual road to 
his house; where, though confined to his bed by a severe indisposition, I was 
received with great hospitality and kindness; had a neat bedroom assigned 
me ; and was requested to consider myself as at home during tlie time I should 
find it convenient to stay in exploring this part of the country." 
The letter above mentioned, which is now before me, is worthy of tran- 
scription : 
"Forest, 20th May, 1810, 
" Sir. 
" It is very unfortunate that I should be so much indisposed as to be con- 
fined to my bedroom; nevertheless, I cannot give up the idea of having the 
pleasure of seeing you as soon as you find it convenient ; the perusal of your 
first volume of Ornithology, lent me by General Wilkinson, has produced in 
me a very great desire of making your acquaintance. 
" I understand, from my boy, that you propose going in a few days to New 
Orleans, where you will see some small cabinets of natural history that may 
interest you. But, as I presume it is your intention to prosecute your inquiries 
into the interior of our country, this cannot be done better than from my house, 
as your head-quarters ; where everything will be made convenient to your 
wishes. My house stands literally in the forest, and your beautiful orioles, 
with other elegant birds, are our courtyard companions. 
* The editor of Wilson's Poems, in quoting this paragraph, omitted the word such, 
thereby intending to convey a charge of the want of hospitality in the American charac- 
ter, which our author rarely experienced. Wilson's meaning is sufiicieutly obvious, 
without comment. 
V 
